The problem is that far too few people stop and consider the advice they’re offering or receiving. One of the reasons we offer bad cliche advice is that we know how we’ve applied certain advice, and things worked out well for us. However, what we don’t know is how other people are going to personalize or apply that same advice. While certain words may have encouraged wise action on your part, it may lead others to utter foolishness.

Here are three cliches that are TERRIBLE advice to give someone. They tell us what we want to hear, but not what we need to hear. Unfortunately, my alternative suggestions aren’t as catchy.

Be sure to stick around to the very end for some encouraging words on pursing your passions!

In June 2016, I resigned from my position at a church after eight years in order to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. By the time I resigned, my struggle had grown into full-blown alcoholism. I would drink as often as I could, and as much as I could. What started as a way to unwind after a long, stressful day in ministry or life in general eventually turned into an addiction that I could not stop. There's no exciting start to my addiction, just something that started as once per month turned into once per week, turned into once per day, which turned into whatever I could manage without getting caught.

All the while, I was in a community of people who could have (and would have) stopped me and helped me all along but, instead, I kept my struggles a secret. I tried to solve my problems on my own; this only fueled the addiction, as well as the toxic nature of what I was doing.

From the beginning, God designed each and every one of us to connect with one another. But, not just superficial connection. God designed us to long for intimate connection with others. We were designed to be social creatures living in community.

The truth is that everyone needs someone in their life that knows everything.

Someone needs to know your secrets

Someone needs to know your ambitions

Someone needs to know your insecurities

Someone needs to know your fears

Someone needs to know your pain and frustrations

Someone needs to know everything.

Here are three reasons that everyone needs someone that knows everything: